20160413

Susan Gangel

Paintings : Stakeout Series: 22-24

(22)
Exaggerated oversight dons his gown in the darkened room
White pixie
APPEARS TROUBLED
A rusty bus roars across the overpass
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp There’s a shot we shouldn’t miss
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp Watch her as she bends over to pick up her glove

(23)
The unwritten letter cannot express his aching days
Daughter of the don calls
WE MISSED THE CHANCE
A patrol car pulls up and the cop just sits there
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp Something holds me back
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp Watch her as she chugs the last cold one

(24)
The largest tree in the backyard breaks after rainfall
Witness makes a detailed report
I FORGOT I FORGOT I FORGOT
A garbage truck breaks into the quiet dawn
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp We should have let him go
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp Watch her as she slips out the back door with his knife

Susan Gangel lives and works in San Francisco, and has published in local and international venues, including Otoliths, sfpeaceandhope, and poetrybites. She often collaborates and exhibits work with the photographer Terry Turrentine and the poet Kit Kennedy. She can be contacted at gangels_at_smccd_dot_edu.